Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
Learn to capture still and moving images on all subjects within the natural world. You’ll learn how to communicate scientific ideas through images and explore conservation and environmental issues, including habitat loss and plastic pollution.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | WF67 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Introduction
The outdoors will be your studio, and you’ll have fantastic locations on your doorstep, as well as opportunities to travel the world. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of staff who are global practitioners, with links to National Geographic and BBC Natural History Unit.
You will:
- Have the option to learn professional underwater photography.
- Take part in regular field trips and residentials, such as a trip to Dartmoor, where you’ll complete First Aid Training for the outdoors. There are also optional international field trips, including visits to the Cairngorms, Iceland and the Red Sea.
- Complete a two-week work placement in your second-year.
- Organise, fund and complete a self-devised project in your third-year, mirroring an industry project, which could be based anywhere in the world.
- Have access to our cutting- edge photographic equipment, as well as studios, dark rooms and post-production suites.
What our students do
Students Praised During Final Year Show
Third year Marine & Natural History Photography students have just celebrated their final...
Capturing the Red Sea
“One of the best two weeks of my life”, said several second-year...
Student Receives Special Mention at British Wildlife Photography Awards
Ellie Stones, second year Marine & Natural History Photography student, has received a...
Student Shortlisted for Prestigious Conservation Award
Third year Marine & Natural History Photography student Karl...
Photographers Awarded during Final Year Show
Third year Marine & Natural History Photography students have...
Photography Students Honoured at Awards
Marine & Natural History Photography students have claimed...
Photographers Awarded at Degree Show
Two awards were presented at the Marine & Natural History Photography Summer Show on Friday...
Student’s Work Recognised at National Photography Show
First year Marine & Natural History Photography student Evie Lewis has been named runner up...
What our graduates do
Some of our graduates’ recent projects include filming dolphins in Hong Kong harbour, photographing salmon and bears in British Columbia, photographing sharks in Fiji and documenting a nomadic tribe in Mongolia.
Expeditions and Exhibitions: A Busy Life for Photography Graduate
Since graduating from BA(Hons...
Graduate Wins British Wildlife Photography Award
Ben Watkins, Marine & Natural History Photography graduate, has won the Documentary Series...
National Coverage for Photography Graduate
We chat to Marine & Natural History Photography ...
Course details
What you'll learn
Blending professional practice with theoretical knowledge, you’ll develop the critical understanding essential for your career. You’ll also be able to gain real-world experience during and after your studies through our relationships with agencies and conservation trusts, and paid opportunities through our in-house photo agency.
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You'll focus on photographic practice, research, critical thinking, biodiversity and habitat - including photographic and scientific enquiry.
Modules
Developing Practice
Research and Critical Thinking
Biodiversity and Habitat
Exploring Practice
Communicating Nature
The Marine Environment
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Alongside studying moving image and still photography, you’ll develop your research and critical thinking skills, explore global conservation, and get ready for your own research project.
Modules
Moving Image and the Natural World
Photography of the Natural World
Conservation and its Representation
Independent Film
Photography, Culture, Environment
Work Experience
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You'll look at photography from certain perspectives and focus on your final portfolio and dissertation.
Modules
Project Development
Dissertation
Major Project
Professional Profile
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
You’ll learn through field trips, photographic and scientific excursions, technical workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials. The course includes an optional underwater programme with dive tuition and international photo shoots.
There’ll also be chances to join expeditions to places like Iceland, Borneo and the Red Sea, and take on national and international placements.
Students have previously joined projects documenting climate change in Norwegian glaciers, or conducting research in the Ecuadorian rainforest conducting research with American scientists.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
1 | 28% | 72% | 0% |
2 | 20%% | 74% | 6% |
3 | 18% | 82% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Assessment methods
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
- Portfolios, presentations and essays.
- End of year project and exhibition.
Staff
You’ll be guided and supported by practising photographers, scientists and explorers. Their careers span working and exhibiting photographs internationally, producing wildlife films and leading expeditions.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Dr Daro Montag
Daro Montag's art practice has, for many years, been involved with environmental and ecological...
Adrian Brown
Adrian is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography and heads...
Anna Roberts
Following my Zoology degree at Manchester University, I made my first documentary in the...
Dr Joanna Henley
I am a marine educator with a PhD in the visual communication of marine science. I joined...
Feargus Cooney
I have been teaching on Marine and Natural History Photography since 2014. Having a double set...
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones
Huw Lewis-Jones is an environmental historian and expedition guide. He is a...
Dr Tim Cockerill
Dr Tim Cockerill is a zoologist, broadcaster and photographer.
Tim specialises in...
Claire Braithwaite
Claire Braithwaite is an artist and photography educator with over 12 years experience teaching...
Graham Lawrence
I studied photography and then documentary film making in the late 70's and after working as a...
Kate Bell
I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan in 2007 with a First Degree Hons in BA Photography....
Jane Morgan
Jane's career began as an IT trainer at News International in London. However, after discovering...
Helen Perkins
I graduated from Plymouth College of Art and Design in 2000 where I specialised in fine art...
Dave Mann
I have worked as a professional photographer and photography educator for many...
Facilities
- Multiple studios, darkrooms and print suites.
- Photography store containing a wide range of professional equipment free to loan.
- Macro and long lenses, macro flash, infrared triggers and time-lapse and underwater cameras.
- Digital suite with Adobe software.
- Photo-microscopy laboratory.
- Digital and traditional processing facilities.
- Walled garden with fully equipped hide for nature study, photography and filming.
How to apply
Entry requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
Check how many points your qualifications are worth
We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:
- You’re predicted points below our requirements
- You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
- You have other qualifications or professional experience
Language requirements
GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Apply via UCAS
Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track
- University code F33
- Course code WF67
Deadlines
UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Next steps
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Shows genuine passion for photography and the natural world.
- Shows a reasonable level of technical knowledge and skills.
- Has good visual awareness.
- Can research, write and analyse to a reasonable level.
- Intelligently and articulately expresses ideas and responds to questions
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2019-20
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £350 - Recurring annual costs
- £600-£650 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £3,800 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page